DisplaySearch Reports Global TV Growth Slows While Demand in Eastern Europe and the...

DisplaySearch Reports Global TV Growth Slows While Demand in Eastern Europe and the Middle East Surges Due to Strong Economies; Samsung Maintains Top Global TV Share in Q1'08

AUSTIN, Texas--(Business Wire)--
Global TV unit shipment growth slowed in Q1'08 to just 1% Y/Y
compared to 4% growth during Q1'07 and 5% growth in Q4'07 as a weaker
economy in the US seems to be affecting demand of 40"+ and larger
sizes. Large snow storms in Q1'08 pushed some Chinese flat panel TV
demand into Q2'08, which also affected the results. Shipments in Q1'08
were 46.1 million units worldwide with a revenue value of $24.8
billion, which represents 8% revenue growth from Q1'07 to Q1'08 driven
by continued ASP gains as flat panel TV market share increases,
particularly in developing regions. Eastern Europe, mainly Russia, and
the Middle East & Africa realized strong Y/Y TV shipment growth at 33%
and 37%, respectively.

Flat panel TV demand seems likely to be strong overall in 2008 and
manufacturers are projected to use smaller screen sizes and low-cost
models to stimulate demand among price conscious consumers and
maintain growth in mature markets, particularly as many consumers look
to buy their second or third flat panel TV.

Some other highlights from Q1'08 include:

-- LCD TV continues to post the strongest growth, rising 45%
Y/Y to 21.1 million units, though this was the weakest
quarter of growth to date. This is understandable and
expected as the nearly complete transition away from CRT
to LCD mature markets naturally leads to slower growth
rates. Growth remains robust in developing regions, like
Latin America, where the flat panel transition is just
beginning. In worldwide LCD TV revenue shares, Samsung
gained the top share of 22.1%, followed by 18.1% for Sony
and 10.1% for Sharp.

-- Plasma TV (PDP) also enjoyed Y/Y growth, climbing 20% to
nearly 2.8 million units, mostly from new shipments of 32"
models. Indications are that 1080p share will increase
from Q2'08 as top brands focus on 1080p products for the
remainder of 2008. In worldwide PDP revenue shares,
Panasonic kept the top share of 33.7%, followed by 22.7%
for Samsung and 16.4% for LGE.

To view the full press release, please click here or visit
http://www.displaysearch.com/cps/rde/xchg/displaysearch/hs.xsl/
050808_GTV_PR.asp.

DisplaySearch
Stacey Voorhees, 925-336-9592
stacey@savvypublicrelations.net

Copyright Business Wire 2008